Commercial laundry machine and drive therefor



y 31, 1966 H. c. ELLIS 3,253,434

COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Oct. 2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet l I NVEN TOR.

Huber/ C E ///'5 BY 1 4M, fi zh, M22

y 1, 1966 H. c. ELLIS 3,253,434

COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Oct. 2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 4

H. C- ELLIS May 31, 1966 COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE'AND DRIVE THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2,

INVENTOR. Huben C Ellis BY 40m; fiy, MX

y 1966 H. c. ELLIS 3,253,434

COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Oct. 2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

I NVENTOR.

Huberf C Ell/'5 H. C. ELLIS May 31, 1966 COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Filed Oct. 2, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,253,434 COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACI-HNE AND DRIVE THEREFOR Hubert C. Ellis, 1210 Lake St., Evanston, Ill. Filed Oct. 2, 1963, Ser. No. 313,277 7 Claims. (Cl. 68-440) The present invention relates to laundry machines adapted to be used, for example, in commercial laundries, and more particularly to an improved drive mechanism for driving the washing cylinder forming a part thereof and to an improved housing for the drive mechanism.

Although the present invention is generally useful in laundry machines, it is adapted for use on self-unloading laundry machines and will be so described. Such ma chines embody a base or supporting structure upon which there is pivotally mounted a casing having therein a rotatable washing cylinder in which fabric articles and the like are washed in a washing liquid. In order to reduce the time and labor required for unloading washed articles from the washing cylinder and casing, the machines are arranged to dump the articles therefrom by gravity after the washing operation has been completed. To this end, the casing is pivotally mounted on the base so as to be bodily movable between a normal'position and a dumping position. The articles to be washed are preferably introduced into the casing and the Washing cylinder while the casing is in its normal position, and when the washing operation has been completed, the casing is raised and rotated to its dumping position wherein the washed articles fall from the casing and the washing cylinder through aligned openings therein. When the casing and washing cylinder have been emptied of articles, the casing is returned to its normal position where the casing and the washing cylinderare again charged for another washing operation.

During a washing operation, the washing cylinder is rotated within the casing and with respect thereto to cause a circulation of washing fluid contained within the casing through openings in the walls of the washing cylinder and through the articles to be laundered that are contained therein. In order to accommodate the above described pivotal movement of the casing with respect to its associated base, it is desirable to mount the drive motor for rotating the washing cylinder directly upon the casing, the gear mechanism interconnecting the drive motor and the washing cylinder also being mounted upon and housed within the casing. It further is desirable to drive the washing cylinder simultaneously from both ends thereof to minimize the application of torsion forces thereto, and to this end separate drive motors and associated gear mechanisms are provided at each end of the washing cylinder and mounted upon the associated ends of the casing. Heretofore the two drive motors and the associated gear mechanisms have been not only separate but also different, being formed essentially as mirror images one of the other.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine having new and improved drive structure for rotating the washing cylinder with respect to the casing including an improved housing therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved housing for the gear mechanism interconnecting the drive motor and the washnig cylinder in a commercial laundry machine of the type setfort-h, the housing being symmetrical about a plane parallel to the axis of rotation of the washing cylinder and useful on both ends of the associated casing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a commercial washing machine of the type set forth an improved gear mechanism interconnecting the drive motor 'ice and the washing cylinder, the improved gear mechanism being equally useful on both ends of the casing.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide in a commercial laundry machine of the type set forth hypoid gearing between the drive motor and the washing cylinder to provide a good positive drive in which the same parts may be used at both ends of the casing.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a commercial laundry machine of the type set forth, improved gear mechanism interconnecting the drive motor and the washing cylinder and a housing therefor which is equally useful on both ends of the casing so that substantial economies are achieved in the manufacture, the repair and the storage of inventory for these parts.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved mounting of the hypoid gearing therein that permits more accurate placement of the driven gear with respect to the driving gear thereof.

Further features of the invention pertain to the par ticular arrangement and construction of the parts whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view in front elevation of a commercial laundry machine embodying the present invention, the casing being shown in its normal position but with one of its access doors open;

FIG. 2 is a view in top elevation of the laundry machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of the laundry machine as viewed from the right in FIG. 1, the casing being shown in its normal position in solids lines and being shown in its elevated and unloading position in dashed lines;

FIG. 4 is a partial view in rear elevation of the right hand end of the laundry machine of FIG. '1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section along the line 55 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the gear mechanism interconnecting the right hand drive motor and the right hand end of the washing cylinder;

FIG. 6 is a view in vertical section along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and further illustrating the gear mechanism interconnecting the right hand drive motor and the right hand end of the washing cylinder;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the gear mechanism illustrated in FIG. 5 and particularly showing the mounting of the hypoid gearing;

FIG. 8 is a View in section along the line 88 of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are fragmentary simplified sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively and illustrating the symmetry of the gear housing and the character of the gear mechanism on theright hand end of the laundry machine; and

FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary simplified sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 9 and 10 respectively but illustrating the symmetry of the gear housing and the character of the gear mechanism on the left hand end of the laundry machine.

There is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 of the drawings a laundry machine 20 of the self-unloading type'made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the laundry machine 20 being provided with a base including a pair of laterally spaced-apart upright standards 21 and 22 which rest upon and are secured to the floor of a commercial laundry or the like.

The standards 21 and 22 are generally saddle-shaped when viewed from the side, and include upstanding forward arms 23 and 24 respectively and upstanding rear arms 25 and 26 respectively, a plurality of longitudinally extending bars 27 holding the standards 21 and 22 and the arms thereof in the proper positions.

Disposed between the standards 21 and 22 is a cylindrical water-tight casing 30 having rotatably mounted therein a foraminous 'washing cylinder 50 within which fabric articles and the like are washed. The casing 30 includes an elongated cylindrical side wall 31 and a pair of end walls in the form of gear housings 100 to be described more fully hereinafter. The front side of the casing 30 adjacent to the opposite ends thereof is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting ears 32 which receive stub shafts (not shown) therein mounted respectively upon the arms 23 and 24, whereby to mount the casing 30 for pivotal and swinging movement with respect to the base about the axis of the shafts from a normal lower position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 3 to an elevated unloading position illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 3. The casing 30 and the washing cylinder 50' therein are charged with laundry to be washed while in the lower normal position thereof, and to this end the casing 30 is provided with a pair of openings in the front portion thereof which are closed by two sliding doors 34, the right hand door in FIGS. 1 and 2 being shown in the open position and the left hand door in the closed position. The washing cylinder 50 has corresponding doors (not shown) therein. Hot and cold water are provided via valves 35 and 36 respectively and detergent is supplied through a pipe 37, all discharging into the interior of the casing 30 to provide a washing liquid therein. At the conclusion of the washing operation, the washing liquid is drained from the casing 30 through a pair of dump valves 38.

At the conclusion of a Washing operation and after the draining of the washing liquid from the casing 30, it is desirable to remove the laundry therefrom by raising the casing 30 to the elevated or unloading posit-ion illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 3. To this end two bydraulically operated expanding struts 40 have been provided positioned respectively at the opposite ends of the casing 30, each strut 40 including a cylinder 41 having therein a piston (not shown) connected to a piston rod 42 extending from the upper end of its cylinder 41 and pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the casing 30 as at 43. The lower end of the cylinder 41 is pivotal-1y mounted on the associated standards 21 and 22. A suitable hydraulic system and controls therefor (not shown) are provided for operating the struts 40. The various controls for the laundry machine 20 are disposed in a control cabinet 45 mounted on the right hand end of the machine 20, the controls [being for example those disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,678,063, issued May 11, 1954 to Hubert C. Ellis.

The washing cylinder is mounted within the casing 30 for rotative movement with respect thereto, the motive power for the movement of the washing cylinder 50 being provided by a right hand electric motor 70 mounted on the right hand end of the casing 30 as viewed in FIG. 2 and a left hand electric motor 80 mounted on the left hand end of the casing 30. The washing cylinder 50 is driven from both ends thereof from the motors 70 and 80 via gear mechanisms to be described more fully hereinafter. By driving the washing cylinder 50 from both ends thereof simultaneously and at the same speed, torques and twisting forces thereon are minimized, this being particularly important when the washing cylinder 50 is loaded with wet laundry and washing liquid. The washing cylinder 50 more particularly includes a frame member 51 on each end thereof which has mounted thereon an outwardly extending shaft '52 (see FIG. 5) which has the axis thereof substantially coinciding with the axis of the washing cylinder 50, the axes of the shafts 52 also coinciding with the axis of the casing 30 and rotatably supported therein by bearing structure generally designated by the numeral 39. The outer end of each of the shafts 52 carries a large main gear 53 thereon adapted to be driven by the associated drive motor 70 or 80, as the case may be, and forming a part of the gear mechanism interconnecting the associated motor 70 or and the was-hing cylinder 50.

The gear mechanisms for driving the washing cylinder 50 are disposed within the gear housings 100. In accordance with the present invention the gear housings are interchangeable and identical, and further are symmetrical about a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the washing cylinder 50 and designated by the line 10 1 in 'FIG. 6 of the drawings. More specifically, the gear housing 100 includes a generally annular outer section 102 adapted to be mounted on and to close the outer portion of the adjacent end of the casing 30 and to cover the main gear 53. An inner domed section 103 closes the opening in the center of the section 102 and covers the end of the adjacent shaft 52. Disposed toward the top of and integral with the section 102 is a hypoid gearing housing that is further symmetrical about the plane designated by the line 101, as are the housing sections 102 and 103. The housing 110 extends outwardly and to the right from the section 102 as viewed in FIG. 5 and has a first generally circular opening 111 therein covered and closed by a cover 112. The front and rear sides of the housing 110 (see FIG. 6) have second and third circular openings 113 and 114 therein, the openings 113 and 114 being identical but assigned different reference numerals to facilitate later descriptions of the machines. As viewed in FIG. 6, the opening 113 has a cover 115 therein and the opening 114 has a motor adapter 116 therein.

As seen in FIG. 6, the right hand drive motor 70 that is mounted upon the casing 30 is operatively connected to the motor adaptor. 1 16 and includes an output shaft 71 extending to the left and into the motor adaptor 1 16. Mounted within the gear housing 110 is a pinion shaft 120 supported at one end in a bearing 1221 carried by the motor adaptor 1 16 and supported at the other end in a bearing 122 carried by the cover 115, the end of the shaft 120 disposed toward the output shaft 71 being fixedly coupled thereto. Carried on the shaft 120 intermediate the ends thereof is a pinion 125 of the hypoid type. Also mounted within the gear housing 110 is a transmission shaft having one end thereof supported -in a bearing 131 mounted in the cover 112 and supported adjacent to the other end thereof by a bearing 132 supported in the housing M0. Mounted on the shaft intermediate the end-s thereof is a spring mounting structure 140 carrying a hypoid ring gear 135 meshing with the hypoid pinion 125 and providing a drive connection between the motor 70 and the transmission shaft 130. One end of the shaft 130 extends beyond the bearing 132 as at 136 and carries a drive pinion 137 thereon which drivingly meshes with the main gear 53 fixedly secured to the washing cylinder 50.

The details of construction of the mounting st-ructure 140 are best illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings wherein it will be seen that the structure 140 includes a hub 14*1 keyed to the shaft 130 by a key 142. Four concentrically mounted plates 143, 144, and 146 are provided which are secured together as a unit by a plurality of ri vets 147 and all fixedly secured to the hub 141 as by welding at 148. The plate 143 has an external diameter such that it can fit within an annular opening in the center of the hypoid gear 135 and the plate 145 has a like diameter although spaced outwardly from the gear 135. The plates 144 and 146 have diameters larger than that of the plates 143 and 145 and extend radially outwardly therebeyond to provide a groove or channel therebetween in which are positioned eight driving blocks 150 disposed equiangularly therearound. Each block 150 has a pair of opposed arms 151 extending outwardly therefrom toward the, adjacent driving blocks, and adjacent pairs of arms 151 on adjacent block-s 150 have heavy driving springs 152 mounted thereon, eight of the springs 152 being provided. Each of the driving bloclcs 150 further has an opening 153 generally centrally thereof which receives the shank 154 of a bolt 155 having a head 156, the shank 154 also passing through elongated a-rcuate slots 157 in the plates 144 and 146, the outer end of the shank 154 being threadedly received in the hypo-id ring gear 135 in threaded openings 158 therein. A washer 159 is provided for each of the bolts 155 and a clamping spring 160 is provided between the head 156 of each bolt 155 and the associated washer 159 resiliently to hold the ring gear 135 against the plate 144. To prevent inadvertent retrograde movement of the bolts 155 with respect to the gear {135 during operation thereof, each bolt 155 has an opening 161 in the head 156 thereof which receives a retaining wire i162 therethrough which is threaded through the openings 16 1 in all of the bolt heads 156.

From the above description it will be seen that the drive connection'is from the pinion gear 125 to the ring gear 135 and the bolts 155 fixed therein; from the bolts 155 to the driving blocks 150 which are resiliently interconnected by the driving springs 152; from-the blocks 1150 through the washers 159 to the plate 146, the washers I159 being urged into frictional engagement with the associated face of the plate 146 by the clamping springs 160. The plate 146 is welded to the hub 14 1 that is connected to the shaft r130 by the key 142, thus to complete the drive connection between the shaft 120 and the shaft 130. Due to its construction the spring mounting structure 140 absorbs any shocks in the drive train and tends to isolate the shaft 130 from the shocks and vibrations in the shaft 120, and vice versa.

Another important feature of the invention is the close adjustment of the positioning between the pinion gear 125 and the ring gear 135 which is permitted by the structure illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. More specifically, the position of the hub 141 with respect to the shaft 130 can be accurately adjusted to accomplish the accurate positioning of the gears 125 and 135 with respect to each other, and particularly the accurate location of the pinion gear 125 and its shaft 120 with respect to the pitch line of the gear 135. The hub 14-1 at its right-hand end bears against the inner race 131a of the bearing 1311 and at the left-hand end is spaced from a shoulder 134 integral on the shaft 130 by a set of shims 170. The shims 170 are adjusted to 0.001" to posit-ion the gear 135 accurately with respect to the shaft 130. The pinion shaft 120 is in turn accurately adjusted and lloca-ted longitudinally by two sets of shims 171 and 172 respectively positioning the cover 1 15 and the motor adaptor 116 and the respective bearings 12 2 and 1211 carrying the shaft 120, both sets of shims 17 1 and 172 being accurately adjustable to 0.001.

The gear mechanism in FIGS. 5 to 8 accordingly provides a drive connection between the drive motor 70 and the washing cylinder 50 via the motor output shaft 71, the pinion shaft 120, the hypoid pinion 125, the hypoid ring gear 135, the spring mounting structure 140, the transmission shaft 130, the pinion 137, the main gear 53 and the slfatft 52 to the frame member 51 of the washing cylinder 50.

A like gear mechanism is provided between the drive motor 80 on the left hand end of the casing 30 and the adjacent left hand end of the washing cylinder 50. In accordance with the present invention the very same parts illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8 for the right hand end can be rearranged and reassembled to provide the gear mechanism and gear housings for the left hand end. This is diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 9 to12 of the drawings wherein FIGS. 9 and 10 show the right-hand end drive structure (and accordingly correspond respectively 6 to FIGS. 5 and 6) and FIGS. 11 and 12 show the lefthand end drive structure. In FIG. 12 it will first be noted that the motor adaptor 116 is disposed in the opening 113 While the cover 115 is disposed in the opening 114, rather than vice versa as is the case for the right-hand end as viewed in FIG. 10. Also the hypoid drive pinion 125 engages the other side of the hypoid ring gear 135 since i change or alteration thereof.

the position of the drive motor has been shifted from the right (as in FIG. 10) to the left (as in FIG. 12). However, it is again pointed out that the various parts numbered from the gear housing and upwards can all be used with equal facility on either the right-hand end or the left-hand end of the laundry machine 20 without As a consequence, there are realized substantial savings in manufacturing cost, in spare parts inventory costs, and in repair costs as compared with prior laundry machines using different and non-interchangeable drive structures and housings therefor on the right-hand and left-hand ends thereof.

From the foregoing it will be seen that an improved laundry machine has been provided which fulfills all of the objects and advantages set forth above. More particularly, there has been provided in laundry machines of the type set forth improved drive structure and gear housings therefor in which the component parts thereof can be assembled to produce a drive mechanism for either the right-hand end or the left-hand 'end thereof without any change or alteration thereof. This is accomplished by providing a hypoid gearing between the drive motors and the associated ends of the washing cylinder and by providing gear housings therefor that are symmetrical about a plane disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of the washing cylinder.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A commercial laundry machine comprising an elongated base adapted to rest upon and be secured to an underlying support surface, a casing mounted upon said base, a washing cylinder disposed within said casing and mounted for rotation with respect thereto about a longitudinally extending axis therein, a first drive motor mounted on said casing at one end thereof and including a first output shaft extending therefrom in a first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a second drive motor mounted on said casing at the other end thereof and including a second output shaft extending therefrom in said first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a first gear mechanism interconnecting said first output shaft and one end of said washing cylinder to provide a first drive connection therefor, a second gear mechanism interconnecting said second output shaft and the other end of said washing cylinder to provide a second drive connection therefor, a first gear housing closing one end of said casing and supporting a portion of said first gear mechanism and enclosing said first gear mechanism, and a second gear housing closing the other end of said casing and supporting a portion of said second gear mechanismand enclosing said second gear mechanism, both of said gear housings being symmetrical about a plane disposed parallel to and passing through said washing cylinder axis and being substantially identical and interchangeable.

2. A commercial laundry machine comprising an elongated base adapted to rest upon and be secured to an underlying support surface, a casing mounted upon said base, a washing cylinder disposed Within said casing and mounted for rotation with respect thereto about a longitudinally extending axis therein, a first drive motor mounted on said casing at one end thereof and including a first output shaft extending therefrom in a first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a second drive motor mounted on said casing at the other end thereof and including a second output shaft extending therefrom in said first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a first main gear mounted on one end of said washing cylinder concentric with said axis, a second main gear mounted on the other end of said washing cylinder concentric with said axis, a first gear housing closing one end of said casing and receiving said first output shaft therein and enclosing said first main gear, a second gear housing closing the other end of said casing and receiving said second output shaft therein and enclosing said second main gear, a first transmission shaft journalled in said first gear housing for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to said washing cylinder axis and having a first pinion thereon drivingly engaging said first main gear, a first 90 transmission gearing interconnecting said first output shaft and said first transmission shaft within said first gear housing, a second transmission shaft journalled in said second gear housing for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to said washing cylinder axis and having a second pinion thereon drivingly engaging said second main gear, and a second 90 transmission gearing interconnecting said second output shaft and said second transmission shaft within said second gear housing, both of said gear housings being symmetrical about a plane disposed parallel to said washing cylinder axis and being substantially identical and interchangeable.

3. The commercial laundry machine set forth in claim 2, wherein both of said gear housings have a pair of side openings therein arranged on either side of and symmetrical with respect to said planes of symmetry thereof, one of said side openings receiving the associated motor output shaft therethrough and supporting a first bearing therefor and the other of said side openings receiving a second bearing for the associated motor output shaft and a bearing cap therefor.

4. A commercial laundry machine comprising an elongated base adapted to rest upon and be secured to an underlying support surface, a casing mounted upon said base, a washing cylinder disposed within said casing and mounted for rotation with respect thereto about a longitudinally extending axis therein, a first drive motor mounted on said casing at one end thereof and including a first output shaft extending therefrom in a first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a second drive motor mounted on said casing at the other end thereof and including a second output shaft extending therefrom in said first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a first gear mechanism interconnecting said first output shaft and one end of said washing cylinder to provide a first drive connection therefor, a second gear mechanism inter-. connecting said second output shaft and the other end of said washing cylinder to provide a second drive connection therefor, both of said gear mechanisms being substantially identical and interchangeable, a first gear housing closing one end of said casing and supporting a portion of said first gear mechanism and enclosing said first gear mechanism, and a second gear housing closing the other end of said casing and supporting a portion of said second gear mechanism and enclosing said second gear mechanism, both said gear housings'being symmetrical about a plane disposed parallel to said washing cylinder axis and being substantially identical and interchangeable, both of said gear housings having a pair of side openings therein arranged on either side of and symmetrical with respect to said planes of symmetry thereof, said openings being of equal size and shape and being in alignment with each other, one of said side openings receiving the associated motor output shaft therethrough and supporting a first bearing therefor and the other of said openings receiving a second bearing for the associated motor output shaft and a bearing cap therefor.

5. A commercial laundry machine comprising an elongated base adapted to rest upon and be secured to an underlying support surface, a casing mounted upon said base, a washing cylinder disposed within said casing and mounted for rotation with respect thereto about a longitudinally extending axis therein, a first drive motor mounted on said casing at one end thereof and including a first output shaft extending therefrom in a first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a second drive motor mounted on said casing at the other end thereof and including a second output shaft extending therefrom in said first direction and laterally with respect to said axis, a first main gear mounted on one end of said washing cylinder concentric with said axis, a second main gear mounted on the other end of said Washing cylinder concentric with said axis, a first gear housing closing one end of said casing and receiving said first output shaft therein and enclosing said first main gear, a second gear housing closing the other end of said casing and receiving said second output shaft therein and enclosing said second main gear, both of said gear housings being symmetrical about a plane disposed parallel to said washing cylinder axis and being substantially identical and interchangeable, a first transmission shaft journalled in said first gear housing for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to said washing cylinder axis and having a first pinion thereon drivingly engaging said first main gear, a second transmission shaft journalled in said second gear housing for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to said washing cylinder axis and having a second pinion thereon drivingly engaging said second main gear, and a first hypoid gearing interconnecting said first output shaft and said first transmission shaft within said first gear housing, a second hypoid gearing interconnecting said second output shaft and said second transmission shaft within said second gear housing, said first main gear and said first transmission shaft and said first hypoid gearing respectively being substantially identical to and interchangeable with said second main gear and said second transmission shaft and said second hypoid gearing.

6. The commercial laundry machine set forth in claim 5, wherein each of said hypoid gearings includes a pinion shaft mounted for rotation in the associated gear housing and carrying a hypoid pinion gear thereon, the longitudinal position of said pinion shaft with respect to said housing being accurately adjusted, a hypoid ring gear having a concentric hub connected thereto and drivingly connected to the associated transmission shaft, the longitudinal position of said hub with respect to said transmission shaft being accurately adjusted.

7. The commercial laundry machine set forth in claim 5, wherein both of said gear housings have a pair of side openings therein arranged on either side of and symmetrical with respect to said planes of symmetry thereof, said openings being of equal size and shape and being in alignment with each other, one of said side openings receiving the associated motor output shaft therethrough and supporting a first bearing therefor and the other of said openings receiving a second bearing for the associated motor output shaft and a bearing cap therefor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES'PATENTS Re. 23,065 12/1948 Ellis 68140 2,070,192 2/1937 Zara'fu 68-140 2,579,761 12/1951 Schmidtke 68-139 2,758,465 8/1956 Ellis 68210 IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY MACHINE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED BASE ADAPTED TO REST UPON AND BE SECURED TO AN UNDERLYING SUPPORT SURFACE, A CASING MOUNTED UPON SAID BASE, A WASHING CYLINDER DISPOSED WITHIN SAID CASING AND MOUNTED FOR ROTATION WITH RESPECT THERETO ABOUT A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING AXIS THEREIN, A FIRST DRIVE MOTOR MOUNTED ON SAID CASING AT ONE END THEREOF AND INCLUDING A FIRST OUTPUT SHAFT EXTENDING THEREFROM IN A FIRST DIRECTION AND LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID AXIS, A SECOND DRIVE MOTOR MOUNTED ON SAID CASING AT THE OTHER END THEREOF AND INCLUDING A SECOND OUTPUT SHAFT EXTENDING THEREFROM IN SAID FIRST DIRECTION AND LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID AXIS, A FIRST GEAR MECHANISM INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST OUTPUT SHAFT AND ONE END OF SAID WASHING CYLINDER TO PROVIDE A FIRST DRIVE CONNECTION THEREOF, A SECOND GEAR MECHANISM INTERCONNECTING SAID SECOND OUTPUT SHAFT AND THE OTHER END OF SAID WASHING CYLINDER TO PROVIDE A SECOND DRIVE CONNECTION THEREFOR, A FIRST GEAR HOUSING CLOSING ONE END OF SAID CASING AND SUPPORTING A PORTION OF SAID FIRST GEAR MECHANISM AND ENCLOSING SAID FIRST GEAR MECHANISM, AND A SECOND GEAR HOUSING CLOSING THE OUTER END OF SAID CASING AND SUPPORTING A PORTION OF SAID SECOND GEAR MECHANISM AND ENCLOSING SAID SECOND GEAR MECHANISM, BOTH OF SAID GEAR HOUSINGS BEING SYMMETRICAL ABOUT A PLANE DISPOSED PARALLEL TO AND PASSING THROUGH SAID WASHING CYLINDER AXIS AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL AND INTERCHANGEABLE. 